Comments on: Are there circumstances in which corruption is justifiable?

By: Ethnicsupplies

Ethnicsupplies — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:17:14 +0000

Oh absolutely Suze, corruption does exist in all societies. I worry about about levels and degrees of it especially where it hurts folk that can hardly fight back.

I don’t know whether you remember the homes for votes scandal! Another unreported scandal was going on in Hackney council where Officers were selling th e right to jump the housing queue.Someone who quit their job because he felt powerless to stop this told me about the scandal

By: Suzan St Maur

Suzan St Maur — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 09:55:49 +0000

Corruption is an endemic part of human nature and whoever it was who said “everyone has their price” was right.

Corruption within any society is inevitable. Lawmakers can reduce it in places or drive it underground, but it keeps popping up in all sorts of other places – perhaps not quite so obviously as in the “soda” instances, but if anything at a more serious, subterranean level.

It’s a bit like the medical condition called lymphoedema (which I have in one arm) … whereby you have excess fluid in one or more parts of your body. Massage and other treatment can relieve it but doesn’t get rid of the fluid – it just moves it somewhere else.

Sad, really.

By: Corruption « Ethnic Supplies

Corruption « Ethnic Supplies — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 08:20:48 +0000

[...] recently wrote a blog about my most recent experience of corruption and I am no where nearer to understanding why folk would be [...]

By: Ethnicsupplies

Ethnicsupplies — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 12:23:44 +0000

You know Jen, this does happen all the time in some parts of Africa.

Put in that situation, it would be a tough call not to buy one’s way out as I would fancy my chances in an African jail. Double standards on my part? Perhaps!!

By: Jen

Jen — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:22:28 +0000

Say you are a backpacker imprisoned in a backwards and rough place. And you are accused of a small crime you did not commit. But it would be hard for you to prove your innocence. And the penalty can be ten years in jail, and no one there would care. A corrupt jailer suggests if you pay him a sizeable amount of money he can get the charges dismissed. You have the money, no real problem. What would you do?
Reward the jailer for his corruptness, further embed corruptness, or as a point of principle go to jail?

By: Ethnicsupplies

Ethnicsupplies — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 20:19:01 +0000

Interesting question Sarah. I very much doubt it, since bribing people including politicians appears to be a way of life. you jsut have to understand the language and who can and cannot be bribed

That said I understand that things are improving when it comes to public life, and MPS and other civil servants get taken to task over missing funding or awarding of contracts. The have procurement rules and scrutiny panels etc.Misappropriation of public fudning does make it into the news on a name and shame basis, but whether or not anyone is ever properly borught to account I can’t say for sure

By: Editor

Editor — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 16:54:42 +0000

Would cash for questions exist in Uganda? and would they look at it differently to what we do?

By: Ethnicsupplies

Ethnicsupplies — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 15:38:37 +0000

ooh, I am not familiar with Sim City games, but will look them up.

Yes if a leader cannot uphold the law or lead by example them I am afraid, it down the hill all the way.

The MP’s example was surreal in a country that should ahve better checks and balances, compounded by the economic climate not to mention the fact some MPS sought to justify it!

By: Are there circumstances in which corruption is justifiable? | Ida … | Drakz News Station

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 13:54:30 +0000

[...] more here: Are there circumstances in which corruption is justifiable? | Ida … Share and [...]

By: AnnG

AnnG — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 13:06:49 +0000

Very thought provoking post, Ida.

I’ve read some sociological studies that are based on very simple patterns that can be modelled by computer programmes – something like the Sim City games, if you know them.

They reveal something fascinating about society and how it works…and how there is a kind of tipping point when it comes to corruption.

I think your taxi driver had a point though, when he pointed out that the president’s action appears to make the system acceptable.

I think that was why everyone in the UK was so horrified by the recent expenses scandal – we know that our leaders need to set a better example for the good of the whole society.

Ann